14th C. English Pewter Pilgrim Badges (7 pcs)

Northern Europe, England, ca. 14th to 19th century CE. A wonderful ensemble of 7 pewter pilgrim badges, all boasting differing forms. The first and largest is of rectangular form adorned with a stippled motif as well as 3 shields on the top section and 2 busts and a kneeling figure in the lower. The next displays the relief image of a king standing in a tondo as he holds a globus cruciger in 1 hand and a scepter in the other. Alternatively, the third badge exhibits an openwork design of a slender knight holding a sword while standing in an oval. Fourth is another slender knight, but this one is instead wielding a dagger. A fifth badge features a 3-armed crucifix and the last is the head of a figure in a tondo. Size of largest (rectangle): 1.7" L x 0.9" W (4.3 cm x 2.3 cm)

People of the Middle Ages went on pilgrimages to the tomb of a saint, or a site where relics of a saint(s) were venerated. The pilgrim might pray at a shrine in order to thank the saint for miraculous healing or a cure. However, for some, the journey itself was a means of purification. In addition to voluntary pilgrimages, some pilgrimages were a form of punishment imposed by the courts or the Church. A person might have been ordered to make a pilgrimage to Rome for example, remain there for several years, and bring back some evidence, such as this badge. Besides wearing a voluminous cloak (the pelerine) and a large hat with a wide brim, carrying a wooden pilgrim's staff, a scrip (a pilgrim's flask) and a rosary, the most important signs of a pilgrim were the pewter pilgrims' badges he pinned to his hat, scrip, or cloak. At every pilgrimage site, a pilgrim could acquire a pilgrims' badge sold as a consecrated souvenir of the sacred place, just as they can do this today.

Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#158681
Condition Report: None are wearable. Loss to upper right corner of rectangular badge, as well as heads of both knights and peripheries of all. Expected abrasions, light bending, and softening of detail to all. Otherwise, all are very nice with lovely patina.